In the early morning of March 19, 1969, a Marine combat base at Phu Loc 6 near An Hoa, Vietnam, became the scene of a surprise enemy attack. The Liberty Bridge is a steel cantilever bridge and was constructed as the missing link between downtown Pittsburgh and the Liberty Tunnel, which had been constructed four years earlier in 1924 as a link to the South Hills. Bill. Heres an aerial view I found on YouTube. 3/1 comm plt. An Ha Combat Base (also known as c Dc) is a former U.S. Marine Corps and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) base west of Hi An in Qung Nam Province, Vietnam. It was in 1968 while at Long Beach that Ray learned of the Tet Offensive and the growing challenges in Vietnam. The My Son temples are located just a few kilometers south east from An Hoa Combat Base. Mostly we were on perimeter duty at night and road sweeps during the morning. I was there March69 when Phu -loc 6 was over run. Thomas Murry Frew Jr. Now 66, Frew is a public speaker and philanthropic volunteer who lives in Sarasota with his wife of 35 years, Anita. He even fought off an attack of two NVA soldiers before he himself was wounded. The sector was near an enemy base camp area with dense foliage, covered in booby. it was just down from a fire support base across road from a ville. I went on that Medcap with you at the Buddhist Orphanage. I earned the Bronze Star for the time I was in the Quang Tri province, where we had a little outpost with a concertina wire gate around it. He was walking up to the gate and I was telling the boy to put the can down because he wasnt allowed to come in with the can. Vietnam War Huey Helicopter Radio Chatter, Liberty Bridge - YouTube I was in E Co. weapons platoon ( guns) I went to graves registry in DaNang to identify his body. My mom had a vendor shed on the north side of Liberty Bridge selling soft drinks and souvenirs during the period. I was with the7th engineers 69-70 with Charlie Company. She had a jeep willy pulling a trailer to bring the goods out in the morning and bring the unsold back home in the afternoon. The Marines were a really impressive group of men. 69. First impressions are forged early in Marine units and those who served alongside Ray took note of his dedication and great humility. Not sure how true it was, but do know that for the next three days/nights we lit up the valley with air strikes, 175mm Cannon and even the New Jersey firing from the Gulf. I was only an 18-year-old kid myself. Lost alot of them also. But at the same time, we knew that they were enemies because theyd check out where we had things and then come back at nighttime. And he raised his hand (Im sorry, I still get emotional thinking about this) and I popped him square in the chest. I often went to W. German hospital many times (the let us use their autoclaves to sterilize our large surgical packs). Captain Graham took Marines from his command group and rallied the 1st platoon Marines and attacked the two guns causing most of the damage to his Company. Jim Parker from Memphis TN. Was assigned to Bravo Company. He told him that the NVA we in the horshoe hedgerow that surrounded the paddy. Three VC crawled up close enough to fire 3 RPGs. We had people from the villages who would come into our compound during the daytime, and they would clean our shoes and clothes, and make our beds. You dont step sideways when youre walking. I told him one more time, Put the can down. But he didnt. AC-47 gunships held back the PAVN/VC while a platoon of Marines mounted in amphibian tractors, with tanks and helicopter gunships escorting, attacked east from An Hoa to reinforce the hamlet and bring an ammunition resupply. Home | About | Contact | Copyright | Privacy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap. Had a pet monkey who helped keep the rats off us at night. Concrete bunker built by the French during the 1950s. Also, by the time this happen there were NO local VC left because they had been wiped-out during TET of early 1968 and Im sure most of the VC were not VC but NVA regulars!! Nobody knows who he was. Why an orphanage? He was a Sgt. It crosses the Monongahela River and intersects Interstate 579 (the Crosstown Boulevard) at its northern terminus. beginning in 1966. http://www.marzone.com/7thMarines/Vn5500.htmhttps://www.seabee-rvn.com/Bridges/Liberty-Bridge/http://dennislathamfiction.blogspot.com/2006/08/vietnam-liberty-bridge.html?m=1http://1-5vietnamveterans.org/15-combat-ops/https://books.google.com.vn/books?id=YN1RDwAAQBAJ\u0026pg=PA178\u0026lpg=PA178\u0026dq=liberty+bridge+Vietnam\u0026source=bl\u0026ots=rdUdHu273U\u0026sig=ACfU3U03Qy55U0spK0AjFgbZvRuMbTzAmA\u0026hl=vi\u0026sa=X\u0026ved=2ahUKEwjdpfygzb_lAhWFd94KHZnMA8o4ChDoATAHegQIAxAB#v=onepage\u0026q=liberty%20bridge%20Vietnam\u0026f=falsehttps://books.google.com.vn/books?id=NxAiZsLSrhoC\u0026pg=PA139\u0026lpg=PA139\u0026dq=liberty+bridge+Vietnam\u0026source=bl\u0026ots=YxuAb4JnDy\u0026sig=ACfU3U1VelKurAzqrOtpeY2JEJGVukMsFg\u0026hl=vi\u0026sa=X\u0026ved=2ahUKEwjdpfygzb_lAhWFd94KHZnMA8o4ChDoATAJegQIARAB#v=onepage\u0026q=liberty%20bridge%20Vietnam\u0026f=false Seabee History - Vietnam - Navy Lived in a tent and used tents to store rations for the mess hall as well as C-rats. My memory is bad and getting worse the older i get. Post-military, Frew became a salesman and a banker, and was actively involved in the Marine Corps League Desoto Detachment 588 and Toys for Tots. I guess I spoke to you. The Battalion worked at the Da Nang Air Base and Con Thien. How long is Liberty Bridge? He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, and sent overseas, where he stayed for more than 15 months (earning the Bronze Star and Purple Heart). I think he was attached to one of the grunt companies at the time? Chuck, I was Squadleader/ Gunner in 60 mortars then. All the area operation data has been unclassified and easy to Google. Hi Boone, This is Doc Vek. For those of us in the Navy Medical Department these individuals are symbols of service and sacrifice in the most trying moments of our history and standard-bearers for what one Medal of Honor recipient later described as acts of true spirit [and] determination. I was a 2nd Lt, 2nd Platoon Commander, Bravo Co, 1st Tks at An Hoa from Setpember 1968 until April 1969. Where is the Liberty Bridge in Pittsburgh? Maintenance window scheduled to begin at February 14th 2200 est. Ken Nielsen of the 2/5 (1st Division) recently passed. The "Arizona Territory" was located south and west of Da Nang and got its nickname due to the wild west nature of the fighting and the area being a free fire zone. The Marines stationed at Hill 55 all stood up as we walked past. [2]:20410, In August 1966 the Marines completed the construction of the MSR (main supply route) between Da Nang and An Ha, naming it the "Liberty Road". [but he would] just smile and shake his head, taking it all in stride. We swept the Que Son Valley with other Marines from 1/5 for a week, but made very little contact with the NVA. Colonel Ernie Cheatham was our battalion commander. Wade. David Ray Medal of Honor Citation. Operation Pipestone Canyon was a US Marine Corps, Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) and Republic of Korea Marine Corps (ROKMC) operation that took place on Go Noi Island, Qung Nam Province, lasting from 26 May to 7 November 1969. As time went on, it was clear that a more effective way of protecting the airbase was to start patrolling the areas west and south west to clear out any threats before they could reach the airbase. There was all so 9 Marines hit by the rocket. Also included is a map from J.C. Bowers which shows Mike Company's base camp's location from October '67 to March of '68. Additionally, Delta 1/5, which had been on our right flank, was also badly mauled. I remember you ,Webster , Star ,Gunny Flanagan and the Lee Marvin fellow but not his name ,he was a kick. On 7 May Company A 1st Battalion 7th Marines relieved one Company from 2/7 Marines and Company K 3/7 Marines was added to the operation. We visit the remnants of a bridge formerly constructed by US Marines in an area of high conflict during the war between the US and Vietnam.These videos are possible thanks to all the servicemen who have posted information on the web about Liberty Bridge and places like this all over Vietnam, including detailed maps and personal accounts, photos and other information. Thanks again, 44 Hey Mark why dont I remember you. Could you be him? Total casualties between the two companies was 110 KIA and that many wounded. feature in the 9th Marines TAOR, it was eventually cleared of mines and boody traps. Tom I First Force Recon and our compound was right by the artillery battery. Operation Taylor Common was a search and destroy operation conducted by Task Force Yankee, a task force of the 1st Marine Division supported by the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN), southwest of Hi An from 6 December 1968 to 8 March 1969. We moved from An Hoa to Phu Bai in December 67 and then into Hue during TET. 1969, a Marine combat base at Phu Loc 6 near An Hoa, A Portrait of HM2 Bobby Ray, Heroic Doc of Liberty Bridge, Strategic It crosses the Monongahela River and intersects Interstate 579 (the Crosstown Boulevard) at its northern terminus. We had two Chieu Hois with us for the Op. until 0400 est. Me and a Sgt. Lao you will be stopped by the Lao police/army from that area? Ha! NVA went into the orphanage still cant believe there were hundreds of us Marines just yards away playing defense while a few NVA killed all those kids!still my worst memory of my year over there, As C O of B1/5 I served at Liberty Bridge for combat operations in the Arizona Territory and later out of An Hoa & the 1/5 battles at An Bang 3 in the Arizona territory as we named the VC/NVA location 80 plus days on patrol or fighting from May 15th until July 31st, then because I complained of poor logistic support the 5TH Regt C.O pulled me out of Bn to be the Regt logistics officer S-4 & An Hoa base security officer as a Capt. I really learned something and I am thankful you shared a part of your story. I am very happy you made it out. The ride back to An Hoa was a quiet one. From April to September 1967 Seabees of MCB 4 built a 2,040 "Liberty bridge" (T Do bridge, now is Giao Thy bridge) over the Thu Bn river for this purpose. He was a Staff Sgt. A man sent to take her and her family to resettlement, again. I have so many memories from An Hoa. I was on gate duty with another guy. I remember that like yesterday. My best friend (we grew up together and both became Corpsman and went to Vietnam together} was killed while we were on patrols in the valley. Harvey 3/5, Operation Meade River was right out side the wire surrounding Hill 55, 7th Marine Regiment Headquarters. Liberty Bridge Today, Quang Nam, Vietnam - YouTube Despite heavy loss of blood, Ray managed to crawl through the barrage of enemy fire to assist another fallen Marine, shielding him from a grenade blast. When I got the Purple Heart, I was jumping out of a helicopter during Operation Forsythe Grove. Hey Paul, was C Company CP located on Hill 37 near Dai-Loc? Semper Fi. First vehicle over the new Liberty Bridge!! - YouTube To look back on Rays life in 1966 most would say he was destined for great things. North of the river are also located Hill 65 and Hill 37 in Dai Loc, the remnants of the Victory Bridge are just a few kilometers north east of the base. The base as such covers a large area, parts of it has developed in to an industrial zone today, but most of it is more or less untouched. An Hoa Valley, Qung Nam Province. Images of VietNam I Corps - marzone.com Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4 - Wikipedia Thanks for posting! My aid gunner in my squad. Kilo 3/5 I too was stationed at An Hoa with H&S. This web site brought back old memories. Feel free to send me an email if you have any questions about the base and surrounding areas. 68-69. from Nov 69 to Aug 70. As his tour in Vietnam came to a close Ray requested an extension which was granted on March 4, 1969. Nice to see a post from you on An Hoa, Took a swim to cool off while on sand bag duty. We were the guys that you may have seen changing the big ass tubes on those big ass guns you talked about. Remember to check out the Hue City article on this website also, you might recognize a few places. S/Sgt Greg Smith H&S 2/5. Looking for the other guys any help would be appreciated. there were 6 or 7 of us at a time at Anhoa with the Airwing3 Air Traffic Controllers and repair/maintenance men for the radar equipment and generatorsNormal cleared to land & cleared to take off stuff plus advise the pilots on which batteries were firing & what direction/grid.Remember the night we were supposed to get over-run.& instead the AnHoa served as a jump off point for regions fought over from 66-71. We would be choppered back to An Hoa while other Marines chased the NVA. Click on Members Stories for a feel of our guys lives. My Company of Marines did this with calm dignity. Several of his classmates from Corps School had already deployed to theater with Marine units and Ray too wanted to do his part. Background [ edit] Chuck Eco 2/5. My name is Richard Vesper I was in AN Hoa 69 and 70 untill we turned it over to the ARVNS I believe in Sept. of 70. The people on the ship had colorful magazines of naked ladies . So, I got a Bronze Star because they said I stopped a possible problem that could have happened if the bomb had gone off and blown up a bunch of people. 3 MOH (one was a Chaplin, KIA) earned by Marines that were there and 1,000 Marine KIA during that Summer in those battles and Know Body has ever heard of them! Say, trying to confirm the name of the CO for 2/5. Thanks for your service Don and Welcome Home Brother !!! He requested transfer to the Field Medical Service School (FMSS) in Camp Pendleton, Calif., and after graduating on June 25, 1968, was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Reinforced) destined for Vietnam. In a Free Fire Zone SW of Danang in 1968. 2512. I was lucky to be inside the COC bunker on the night shifts when most of the incoming was happening. Then the entire hedgerow came alive with NVA fire. Locals use it as a road. A women saving food. Hello Mike. 106mm RR View directly south from a 106mm mounted on a Mule guarding the approach to Liberty Bridge. Nadine Dymond Trcka. Hey Michael, I served as a combat engineer and was assigned to the Liberty Bridge from mid 68 to early 69 and maintained and operated the pontoon ferry while the Seabees were building bridge #2 . Still remember all the rockets all too well. I saw a C-123 at the Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio. Liberty Bridge - Wikipedia Over time the need also grew for more permanent presence in order to pacify these areas. John Conley, I was there with 1st Force Recon 1969 Liberty Bridge on the Thu Bon river near An Hoa, Vietnam 1968 - Pinterest If any one knows. If you read this message, I would like to talk more about the FSCC. On December 13th, a Friday, we left for the mountains to begin Operation Taylor Common. 8,945 views. A few kilometers south of the base, across the mountain ridges is the Que Son Valley with plenty of old firebases including LZ Baldy and LZ Ross that are also very interesting to visit. The reason you were moved around so much was probably that you were very good at your job (2531) and could be trusted! I was Alpha Co CBMU301 (Seabees) from June67 -Dec-68 Our main job was taking care of the Base and Runway at An Hoa we were located on the South End of the Runway We replace the runway twice while I was stationed there Lots of Memories lots of picture I have Many convoys to DaNang and only one time across Liberty Bridge rest of the times were by Marine ferries Thanks for the post and pictures, sure brings back some memories for sure. We never slept when in from the bush. Was an artillery battery beside us. combat narratives are told by those who actually engaged in the. When I look back I cant but wonder how we as a countty could have allowed that war to continue. A chu hoi led the grunts to a VC propaganda leader on this one. There were 28 of us We built our camp from scratch replaced the runway and-started with the rest of the base hospital-chow hall I extended for 6 month leaving in December of 68. To make this long story short, we got our asses kicked that day. In the afternoon on December 10th, Hotel 2/5 flew into Hill 55. I have a neighbor who fought with the Marines near An Hoa in 69. South of the west end of the runway are remnants of concrete structures, perhaps command bunkers. I remember very well the ammo dump blowing up on Feb. 23. A medevac situation developed on this insert when four grunts were wounded by a booby trap, and another was injured somehow. At the east end of the runway are a couple of craters and some dug out areas that seem to be from the era. I was in Vietnam in from April 1968-April 1969 with the USMC. Janes Graham, a very bold and capable leader. But Kinh was with us now and was a very good asset. Many children killed. Harvey Wade. After that our nights were spent in a bunker on the runway until I left for home in February. Still alive at 77. life-and-death struggles. Im doing some research on his time in-country and am hoping to find someone who might remember him. I watched the firefight from our trench line. I have spent a few days visiting the various web sights searching for anything I can find on An Hoa Combat Base and yours has been very helpful, I was there in 69-70. But my B Battery had been split off from the battalion on arrival in Vietnam and placed in a defensive position near Da Nang. It was attacked again on the morning of March 19th, setting the stage for Rays heroic actions that would ultimately punctuate his life. I have pictures of the before and after. The bridge opened on March 27, 1928, following a 5-mile (8.0 km) vehicle parade from the southern suburbs. As the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) infiltrated the camps barbed wire perimeter, a 24-year old corpsman named Bobby Ray charged into the melee to render emergency aid to the mounting casualties. You can NOT get into Vietnam right now. Anyone have photos of the airlift that day? . February 15th, DVIDS Hub works best with JavaScript enabled, Version: 378719a7422dbf16a653a31d0524fb9a2058ed47_2023-04-20T10:09:12. GENERAL ORDERS: CITATION: The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Hospital Corpsman Second Class David Robert Ray (NSN: B-308634), United States Navy . I do remember the IOWA firing block busters over our heads. Overall we really recommend a visit to this old base. BUMED Archives. and HQ Co. 1st Marine Regt. Dr. Faust, I was with you and Dr. Donald Turner, DDS on the medcap that day. September a battery of 15 HAWK missles were deployed to Hill 55 were it provided coverage for the Vu Gia River Valley. I once attended a Catholic service in a bunker by regiment and had this beautiful blond sit down next to me and later discovered she was from the German Hospital outside our wire. 19-March-69, FSB Phu Loc 6 . So the VC took advantage of our way of thinking and they had NO problem doing something like that!! Da Nang. We may have seen each other and dont even know it. Young orphans killed laying out on the front of the temple. Combined Action Platoon (CAP) 2-9-1, positioned in the hamlet of Mau Chanh (2), about a kilometer east of the base, lay in the path of the attack. On an operation to Liberty Bridge, Vietnam, 1970. Once, instead instead of evacuation by chopper we went to An Hoa and caught a C-123. Poinsett Bridge Paul Conrad Sr. or nature. Forever in my mind, I as with you Dr. Faust that day with Dr. Donald Turner DDS. A tour of Naval Hospital Long Beach followed. tuckga@carolina.rr.com Would like to find out who he was. Audio: Donovan- Hurdy Gurdy Man (this track is the property of it's respectful owners, and it's use in this video is not for monetary compensation). His battery commander later related that when you were as tall as Ray, had a southern drawl and were serving with the Marines you know youre in for some rough kidding.
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liberty bridge vietnam